Saturday Hailey and I had a fail in our relationship. On a normal day, the first thing we do (after I throw on my sweats and visit the washroom) is walk. On Saturday, it is the Man's morning to take the dogs out if they are up before I want to get up. This means we do our walk after breakfast.

We headed out for our walk after breakfast. I stupidly didn't put Hailey's harness on. She was very excited when we headed out. But by the end of the road had settled. She had a few moments of excitement, but I was in control.

Spring is in the air

Then we turned up her favourite street. The wind was strong (and may I say cold). There was clearly something in the air or something I couldn't seen had been around. Hailey went crazy. I could barely control her. I have not seen her so out of control since we first got her over 5 years ago. I did everything I could to try and regain control, but I could not compete with the smell. It was made harder by the fact that her excitement made Phod excited. I knew I was losing the battle and after a really ugly moment where I yelled at her (didn't help and didn't make me feel better), I broke down and called the Man to come and get her.

It broke my heart. I was in tears. While waiting the 2 minutes or so for him to hop in the car and come get me, I ended up face first in the ditch. This made me both cry more and realize I had made the right choice in calling the Man. He arrived, put her in the car and Phod and I continued to talk home. He was an angel. I could have held his leash with one finger.

In the short-term my IT band, which has been giving me a lot of problems, was very, very sore. The next day, the band felt better, but my quads ached from all the times she was trying to pull me into the ditch before she did. I spent most of Saturday feeling defeated (made worse by the fact that I wasn't feeling well from a food challenge). But Sunday I felt a little better and I hope this one time incident isn't a set back for both of us. In a timely post KB wrote about embracing your dogs challenges. I will embrace my crazy girl and we will move forward (but hopefully not face first into a ditch).

Oh nose! Now sweet Hailey, I nose its good funs sumtimes to mess wiv the peeps head when it comes to training butts face furst in a ditch is not gonna earn extra TREATS I'm afraid, try sumthingy less painful fur Mom next time...making them laffs usually works bestest I've found.Luffs and hugs to you Mom, hope you feels betters soonLoves and licky kissesPrincess Leah xxx

Ugh, I feel your pain and commiserate with you as I have been there myself. I do hope you are feeling better, and I think you made the right choices for Hailey. Obviously she was past her threshold and you realized it and made the decision to not let it continue. it is SO hard when we feel like we've failed, but I think holding onto the positive things we did is crucial for us. Hang in there, you are definitely not alone.

Now Hailey, a word of advice. I do in part sympathise with you. Those urges one gets can be so hard to control - and after all we cannot be blamed for our inheritance of wolf DNA - but at these times it is best to try hard to remember the advantages us domestic dogs gain from our close relationship with our humans, and to try to avoid doing anything to distress or harm the ones we love. Your poor human is now thinking she has failed, but we know that is far from the truth, and the best way you can reassure her is to be very gentle, loving, and patient as she recovers, both mentally and physically, from the shock you gave her. Understood?All the best to both you and your mom.Your friend Bertie.

Oh dear...mom doesn't face that kinda stuff with me; however, you might remember she walks our neighbor's dag 2 or 3 days a week. Sometime Kasi is most excited to get out the door. There are 3 steps down to the driveway. At first Kasi nearly drug mom down them. Finally mom has learned to only give Kasi a very very short lead when heading out the door. That way they can go down the steps together. Not to mention Kasi has arthritis in her back right leg and this scurrying down the steps makes her hind area sore. Mom has started carrying her phone with her just in case she has to call Dad to come get them. Golly Hailey you have a very remorseful look on your face. I predict you'll be forgiven soon. What was the smell you caught?hugs madi your bfff

Hugs my sweet friends. Sometimes being a dog..or pig.. is a tough job. Thanks for your interview today and when you get a chance, don't forget to come by and leave messages for the peeps that left you some :) <3 XOXO - Bacon

Oh dearie me.....so sorry this happened but I'm sure by now you've kissed and made up? Hailey smelled something obviously IRRESISTIBLE, and when a nose meets up with the right smell - it's ON. Sorry you were made to fall though because that IS dangerous. Sounds like harness is the safest bet. No doubt Hailey felt bad about it too.....hope by now you ladies are feeling better????

Oh no! I'm so sorry that happened! I've totally been there, too with the girls, not literally in the dirt but to the point where I was so frustrated that I yelled and then of course I seriously regretted it too. It happens to all of us sometimes. We're human and dogs are dogs. Everybody gets frustrated from time to time. ((hugs)) I hope you're not too sore! <3

ONe can never anticipate what is going to excite a dog. Mom says she is always on watch with our surroundings, but things always pop up. That is why Lightning still wears a Gentle Leader - gives her a bit more control. Hope Hailey cooperates on your upcoming walks.

We are so sorry you had a trying day with Hailey and we hope you will not be too hard on yourself - sometimes things just do not go the right way. I find myself relating to alot of KB's posts too - she inspires us hugsMr Bailey, Hazel & Mabel

I can so relate! My Husky & I had a fail a few weeks ago that resulted in a gashed knee for me. I was so upset about it, but I'm over it now & I've moved on. Happens to all is us! I'm just glad you weren't seriously injured.Love & biscuits,Dogs Luv Us and We Live Them

OMD we are soooooo sorry that you went SPLAT in the Ditch... and that SOMETHINGY got Lee all wound up and not in control of HERSELF... Sometimes we see or hear or SMELL somethingy TOO scary or Irresistible to Shake of and ignore... Our Inner WOLF just comes out.

Amy here. Have you ever tried a pinch collar? NOT a choke collar. Lexi can't hurt ME on a walk, but she can hurt her neck pulling so hard. I put the pinch collar on her and she walks at a heel because she doesn't want to get pinched. I pinch was all it took. Figured one pinch was better than a pinched nerve, choking, etc.

So glad it wasn't worse! Did you ever see what the scent was from? Speaking of IT band, I was dealing with it over the winter and nothing was helping. Then it turned out that my physical therapist just had to release the head of my fibula and instantly all the pressure was gone! She taught me how to do the release and I have had to do it 2 times. But it sure manifested as IT pain! Good luck with Lee. KB gives great advice and insight!

Oh gurl! What did you do to your Moms?! Okays, I know, I do KERAZY things like that too, and I've almost taken Ma down a couple of times...okay, so I HAVE taken Ma down a couple of times, butts here's the thing..don't lets the peeps do face-plants! They are never happy when the face is full of dirt, or poo in my case (a story for another time, that I will TOTALLY DENY!) Paws crossed that your Moms is feelin' betters. And tell her not to feel bad, we doggies are very complicated....☺Kisses,Ruby ♥

I feel for you...I know I have challenges with Arty's sometime reactive behavior and am lucky he is under 20 pounds. Hang in there, and try to remember you and Hailey are both doing your best! I agree, KB is a wonderful inspiration!!

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This is the adventures of an average Lady, her Man, and two dogs.
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